A Colossus rushes in at the start

Chapter 303 Natural Evolution Has Too Many Oddities

This medium-sized being, situated in the interstellar battlefield, is communicating with Lu Shang.

"So what? Didn't you say you discovered traces of what appears to be ultimate destruction? Where are those traces?" Lu Shang asked.

The medium creature replied, "Traces are what these civilizations are fighting over."

"These civilizations are fighting over what the swarm left behind, but Lu Shang, the mainframe, as you know, the swarm's technology is built on life and psionic energy, unlike ordinary civilizations that leave behind artifacts."

"Considering the enormous upheaval the swarm encountered, which stemmed from the ultimate destruction, I have reason to suspect that what these civilizations are fighting over is directly related to that ultimate destruction that caused the swarm's psionic energy to fail."

Lu Shang pondered, and it seemed to make sense. The technology of the swarm was a combination of biological and psionic energy, which resulted in almost all of the swarm's technological products being living things, such as the Mother Nest Universe and planetary creatures.

It's easy to see that the so-called relic of the Babel swarm that could attract so many interstellar civilizations must not be living things. Living things are difficult to control, not to mention that their life structure is not even understood. Their attraction could not possibly lead to a civilization war of this scale.

Moreover, psionic energy plays a significant role in the technology of the swarm. Without psionic energy, physical technology would plummet back to the level of chemical industry. Something that could cause so many interstellar civilizations to go to such lengths must not be limited to the level of chemical industry.

So, what will the swarm leave behind after that ultimate devastation?

The swarm network collapsed, countless swarm creatures lost their psionic powers, and the vast territory in the cosmic sea disintegrated... In this situation, it seems that only the enemy will remain.

Thinking about it this way, what these interstellar civilizations are fighting over might actually be related to the ultimate destruction that led to the annihilation of the Unity Civilization...

The more Lu Shang thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Lu Shang stroked his chin. "I see... Go and select a civilization to participate in this interstellar war. I have a use for you."

Upon hearing the order, the medium creature did not act immediately, but instead inquired.

"What do we do after selecting them?"

Lu Shang replied, "No need to do anything, just report to me and I'll tell you what to do next. Um... don't choose any bizarre civilizations that are too far beyond my aesthetic range."

"Although they're all the same and it doesn't really matter, if they look too bizarre, it will affect my mood."

Generally speaking, Lu Shang wouldn't be so picky, since it involves serious matters. But with so many civilizations participating in the war, there are many targets to choose from.

Since that's the case, why not choose a race that isn't so ugly?

"Understood. Find a civilization whose appearance isn't bizarre," the media creature responded.

A short while later, Lu Shang looked speechlessly at the civilization selected by the medium creature.

This is a floating ball of flesh, but unlike a balloon, its surface is not so smooth and glossy. Its skin is rough like old tree bark, and you can see tiny, wriggling purple blood vessels on it. It has three compound eyes like a fly, and its mouth is located at the bottom of its body. Each time it eats, it splits into three parts, first dripping out saliva with a dissolving effect to dissolve large pieces of food outside its body, and then swallowing the dissolved, mud-like food in one gulp.

Because of this way of eating, this civilization seems to have no food culture.

Lu Shang felt a chill run down his spine.

What the hell is this?!

I told you to find something less bizarre, but you insisted on finding something so bizarre!

"I remember I asked you to find a civilization whose inhabitants don't look so bizarre, right?" Lu Shang asked with a forced smile.

The medium creature replied, "These are indeed not bizarre. First of all, they don't look like prey. Secondly, all the organs in their bodies play important roles and are very efficient. They don't grow any strange or useless tissues..."

"Is this what I mean by 'curiosity'?" Lu Shang asked speechlessly.

The medium-sized creature was stunned, and asked in confusion, "Uh... isn't this what you mean by 'grotesque'?"

Lu Shangdao said, "Curiosity refers to things that I find ugly, to the point of being mentally polluting."

After Lu Shang's explanation, the medium creature understood, "Oh, this is what curiosity is all about. I get it. I'll go change the civilization I choose now."

The medium creature, which was just about to choose a new one, suddenly stopped because it realized that it didn't seem to understand its own master's aesthetic sense. What kind of appearance would its master not find ugly?

So, the medium-being asked, "Then, in your opinion, what's the standard for what doesn't qualify as ugly for the Lu Shang mainframe?"

This question stumped Lu Shang.

In terms of aesthetics, Lu Shang's aesthetics are naturally those of a normal human being, but you can't expect the appearance of an alien race to evolve naturally and conform to human aesthetic standards, can you?

That's utter nonsense. Species evolution is completely random; it's possible for an animal to share both an excretory and feeding opening.

Therefore, Lu Shang felt that the standard should not be set too high, otherwise it would be impossible to find a single civilization.

"...Well, I don't have high requirements. At least it has to be like me, with two hands, two feet, and a head," Lu Shang said.

As he spoke, Lu Shang continued, "As for the rest... well, I don't expect random evolution to produce anything particularly interesting."

"In short, just find one according to the standard of one head, two hands and two feet."

The medium creature, having understood the situation, replied, "Okay, I'll take care of it right away."

Before long, the efficiency-minded medium creatures selected a species with two hands, two feet, and one head.

Lu Shang was not happy at all; in fact, he felt even more nauseous than before.

This species does indeed resemble a human, with two hands, two feet, and one head, thus taking on a human form. However, its entire body is covered in tumors, which constantly expel a yellowish-brown, transparent liquid, making it wet from head to toe. The tumors covering its body completely obscure its organs, such as its eyes, mouth, and ears. All that can be seen is its swollen, grotesque, and twisted body, making one want to vomit up their dinner from the previous night.

Moreover, this creature has its mouth located on its genitals, and it stuffs food under its body every time it eats...

"I still underestimated the randomness of natural evolution..." Lu Shang muttered to himself, on the verge of tears.

The medium creature was completely bewildered by its mastermind's reaction. "Is it still not working? I did indeed choose it according to the standard of 'two hands, two feet, and one head'."

"The problem isn't with you; I was too naive," Lu Shang said, his feelings extremely complicated.

Then, Lu Shang said to the medium creature, "You will act as my field of vision, and I will decide which civilization to choose."

"OK."

……

The Prinkia civilization is a civilization that has already entered the stage of interstellar travel.

This civilization was composed of a species that resembled rats, covered in thick, bushy hair. Like humans, they wore clothes, but because of their hair, they wore very little, only one piece.

Wear long clothes when it's cold, short clothes when it's hot, and whatever you like when the weather is moderate.

On Fina, the home planet of the Pulinka civilization, a newborn Pulinka infant was born.

However, unlike other newborn Plinka people, this juvenile was very calm, not at all like someone seeing a new world for the first time.

The young Plinka, still in swaddling clothes, was sent to the infant nursery, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

Lu Shang muttered to himself, "I hope the plan goes smoothly."

(End of this chapter)